Collapsible swimming pool

ABSTRACT

This invention is a collapsible swimming pool with fiberglass wall segments joined to form a wall, each segment having a reinforcing rib along one vertical edge thereof and a profile along its other vertical edge so that the profile of one wall segment may be secured to the reinforcing rib of an adjacent segment. A liner is marginally secured to the top of the wall and extends over the wall and the area enclosed.

United States Patent 1 Valois et a1.

1 1 COLLAPSIBLE SWIMMING POOL [75] Inventors: Marcel Valois; Kenneth Valois, both of Laval sur Le Lac, Quebec, Canada [73] Assignee: Valmar Swimming Pools Ltd., Ville De Laval (Chomedey), Quebec, Canada 221 Filed: Feb. 8, 1974 211 Appl. No.: 440,864

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation of Ser. No. 133,629, April 13, 1971,

abandoned.

[52] 11.8. C1. 4/l72.l9 [51] Int. Cl E04h 3/16, E04h 3/18 [58] Field of Search 4/172, 172.19, 172.18,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,059,733 10/1962 Hermann 52/245X [451 Mar. 11, 1975 Mashuru 4/l72.19

3,233,251 2/1966 Barrera 4/l72.l9 3,276,043 10/1966 Dcliu 4/172.l9 3,316,682 5/1967 Natalis 52/245 X 3,317,925 5/1967 3,562,822 2/1971 L r 3,793,651 2/1974 Pitti 4/l72l9 Primary Examiner-Henry K. Artis [57] ABSTRACT This invention is a collapsible swimming pool with fiberglass wall segments joined to form a wall, each segment having a reinforcing rib along one vertical edge thereof and a profile along its other vertical edge so that the profile of one wall segment may be secured to the reinforcing rib of an adjacent segment. A liner is marginally secured to the top of the wall and extends over the wall and the area enclosed.

9 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTED HAR] 1 I975 sum 1 0F 2 INVENTORS Marcel VALDIS Kenneth VALOIS ATTORNEY PATENTEU m1 1 INVENTOR. Murcel VALUIS Kenneth V L ATTORNI) 1 COLLAPSIBLE SWIMMING POOL This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 133,629, filed Apr. 13, 1971, now abandoned.

FIG. 6 is a horizontal fragmentary section of one of the wall joints.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of part of two wall segments illustrating a tape placed over the joint oftwo ad- The present invention relates to a collapsible swimjacent wall segments.

ming pool construction and is particularly concerned with above ground swimming pools which do not require excavation but require instead a supporting wall. Such swimming pools are in common use and have a definite economic advantage over the older type of pool in which an excavation is made and then lined with concrete and tile.

Various forms of wall construction have been proposed in the past but none, to our knowledge, has made use successfully of the substantial advantages of fiber glass reinforced plastics material from the point of view of appearance and strength. The main reason is, as we have found, that the various joints presently known and used for connecting wall segments together are completely unsuitable for use where the segments are made of fiberglass reinforced plastics material.

It is the main object of the present invention to provide a pool construction which is prefabricated in wall segments intended to be connected in succession to provide an endless sidewall, the segments being made out of fiberglass reinforced plastics material whereby to provide the aforesaid various possibilities of this material as to pleasing appearance and strength. More specifically, the object of the invention is to provide a novel swimming pool construction involving the use of a specific type of joint to connect the wall segments, which joint is capable of resisting the pressure created by the water in the pool.

More specifically, each wall segment ofthe pool construction according to our invention comprises a reinforcing rib provided along one of its vertical end edges, the rib projecting outwardly with respect to the watercontaining space of the pool, the inner face of this reinforcing rib defining a vertically-extending inwardlyfacing groove. Each segment is also provided, along the other vertical end edge, with an interfitting outwardly bulging rib of a size and shape to interfit into a groove of an adjacent wall segment. These wall segments are connected in succession with adjoining vertical edges overlapping one another, the interfitting ribs fitting into the grooves of the reinforcing ribs. The vertical edges are secured together by fastening means extending therethrough whereby the succession of the wall segments forms the sidewall of the pool. Finally, there is provided a water-impermeable liner secured to the top edges of the wall segments and extending over the sidewall and into the water-containing space.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled pool with part of the liner cut away.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary plan of the wall with portions cut away in horizontal section at the joints between the wall segments.

FIG. 3 is a vertical crosssection of the top of the wall showing the manner in which the liner is attached to the wall.

FIG. 4 is a perspective fragmentary view of the joint between two adjacent wall segments.

FIG. 5 is a vertical fragmentary cross-section of one of the wall joints.

Referring to FIG. 1, the swimming pool according to the invention has a vertical endless wall made of segments 10 assembled together edge to edge and simply resting on flat ground with no footing or other holding structure being required. The endless wall defines an inward water-containing space.

Each segment 10, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6, comprises a panel 11 made of fiberglass reinforced plastics material with an integral outwardly turned horizontal top flange 12 of the same material and an integral inwardly turned bottom horizontal flange 13 also of the same material. At the joint between the panel 11 and the bottom flange 13, there is an outwardly curving lip 14. The top and bottom flanges as well as the curving lip provide reinforcement for the wall segments.

The panel 11 and the flanges 12 and 13 are curved to a radius corresponding to the overall radius of the pool, in the case of a circular one.

One vertical edge 11a of the panel 11 has a reinforcing rib 15 comprising a wooden strut 16 of essentially trapezoidal cross-section and a covering 17 of fiberglass reinforced plastics material integral with the edge 11a of the panel 11. The edge 11a of the panel 11 adjacent to the strut 16 is recessed at with respect to the main body of the panelll by a thickness corresponding to that of the plastics material for a purpose which will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The inner face of strut I6 and of the corresponding covering define an outwardly facing groove 18. The outer face of the strut 16 is spaced from the covering 17 and a metal strip 19 is fixed thereto.

The opposite vertical edge 11b of the panel 11 has a metallic outwardly bulging interlocking rib 20 curved and shaped to fit flush in the groove 18 and also has a fiberglass reinforced plastics covering 21 integral with the edge 11b of the panel 11. In addition, the edge 11b of the panel 11 engages the opposite edge 11a of the panel by lodging in the aforesaid recess ll'a.

The edge 11b of the panel 11, the metallic interlocking rib 20, the strut 16 and the metal strip 19 as well as the coverings l7 and 21 have holes therethrough that register to receive flat head machine screws 22 which protrude through the holes and are threaded in the metal strip 19 so as to secure the wall segments along edges 11a, 11b. The holes in the edge 11b of the panel 11 and in the ribs 20 are countersunk to receive the bevelled heads of screws 22 so that the same will lie flush with the inner face of the panel. The aforementioned recess 11a of the edge 11a also provides a flush joint when the edge 11b is in place, so that the inner face of the pool wall is entirely smooth. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 7, a fiberglass covered adhesive tape 116 may be used to cover the joint and make a smoother finish.

The lower lateral edge of the reinforcing rib 15 has a cut out 23 receiving the end of the lip 14 (FIG. 4).

The top flanges 12 may be secured together by means of bolts fitted in holes 24 at the meeting overlapping ends of the flanges.

Referring again to FIG. 1, a liner 25 of plastic sheet material extends over the endless wall and the area enclosed thereby.

The edge of the liner 25 is stretched and folded over the, top flanges 12 as shown in FIG. 3 and is held in place by a plastic coping 26. The 25 is then firmly secured in position by channel-shaped copings 27 which are fastened to flanges 12 by bolts and nuts 28.'The channel-shaped copings 27 each have an inner flange 29 bent inwardly at an acute angle to the web of the channel body and a right angle flange 30, and are mounted on the wall by forcing them over the top of the wall segments starting from the position shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. The copings 27 are dimensioned so that when the channel body lies against the top flange 12 as shown in full lines in FIG. 3, the inner flange 29 is sprung against the inner face of the wall, while the base of the outer flange 30 is forced against the outer edge of the top flange 12.

One of the wall segments 10, as shown in FIG. 1, comprises a pump and filter casing 31 integral with the wall segment panel 11. The pump and filter arrangement is the subject of a separate patent application entitled Filter for Swimming Pool" and reference is made to such application for a more detail description thereof.

Although the invention has been disclosed with reference to a preferred embodiment, thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications within the scope of the invention may be envisaged.

We claim:

1. A collapsible swimming pool comprising:

a plurality of arcuately curved smooth surfaced wall panels of fiberglass reinforced plastics sheet-like material arranged in edge to edge relation to define a cylindrical wall;

one edge portion of each panel being further curved to 'define an inwardly facing groove extending along said edge portion and the adjacent panel having a correspondingly further curved edge portion seated in said groove;

means filling the groove in said adjacent panel to define a substantially smooth inner surface coextensive with the inner surfaces of said panels;

a reinforcing rib structure extending along the joint between adjacent panels at the outer surface of said wall;

4 removable securing means holding said edge portions, groove filling means and reinforcing ribs in the described relationship; and

a water-impermeable liner for said pool secured to the top edge of said'wall and extending thereover.

2. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim I, wherein said rib is a wooden strut covered with fiberglass reinforced plastics integral with the wall segment.

3. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 2, wherein said rib is fixed to a corresponding panel, has a curved depression on the inner face thereof and comprising said further curved portion and wherein said groove filling means is made of metal and has a correspondingly curved portion on the outer face thereof which is covered with fiberglass reinforced plastics integral with the wall panel.

4. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 3, wherein the outer face of said wooden strut is spaced from the plastics covering and carries a metal strip.

5. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 4, wherein said filling means, said wooden strut and said strip have corresponding holes to receive assembly screws, said metal 'strip being threaded to be engaged by said screws.

6. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein each panel comprises horizontal flanges at the top and bottom edges thereof for reinforcement thereof.

7. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 6, wherein channel-shaped members are secured over the top edge flanges of the wall panels with the margin of said liner clamped therebetween.

8. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 7, wherein each channel-shaped member has an inner flange at an acute angle to the channel body and an outer flange at a right angle to the channel body, said member being dimensioned to spring said inner flange against the wall panel when said channel body lies against said top edge flange.

9'. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 6, wherein an outwardly curving lip is provided at the joint between the wall panels and the bottom flanges for reinforcement of the wall panels, and wherein a matching recess is located in the lateral edge of the reinforcing ribs for accommodating said outwardly curving lip. 

1. A collapsible swimming pool comprising: a plurality of arcuately curved smooth surfaced wall panels of fiberglass reinforced plastics sheet-like material arranged in edge to edge relation to define a cylindrical wall; one edge portion of each panel being further curved to define an inwardly facing groove extending along said edge portion and the adjacent panel having a correspondingly further curved edge portion seated in said groove; means filling the groove in said adjacent panel to define a substantially smooth inner surface coextensive with the inner surfaces of said panels; a reinforcing rib structure extending along the joint between adjacent panels at the outer surface of said wall; removable securing means holding said edge portions, groove filling means and reinforcing ribs in the described relationship; and a water-impermeable liner for said pool secured to the top edge of said wall and extending thereover.
 1. A collapsible swimming pool comprising: a plurality of arcuately curved smooth surfaced wall panels of fiberglass reinforced plastics sheet-like material arranged in edge to edge relation to define a cylindrical wall; one edge portion of each panel being further curved to define an inwardly facing groove extending along said edge portion and the adjacent panel having a correspondingly further curved edge portion seated in said groove; means filling the groove in said adjacent panel to define a substantially smooth inner surface coextensive with the inner surfaces of said panels; a reinforcing rib structure extending along the joint between adjacent panels at the outer surface of said wall; removable securing means holding said edge portions, groove filling means and reinforcing ribs in the described relationship; and a water-impermeable liner for said pool secured to the top edge of said wall and extending thereover.
 2. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein said rib is a wooden strut covered with fiberglass reinforced plastics integral with the wall segment.
 3. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 2, wherein said rib is fixed to a corresponding panel, has a curved depression on the inner face thereof and comprising said further curved portion and wherein said groove filling means is made of metal and has a correspondingly curved portion on the outer face thereof which is covered with fiberglass reinforced plastics integral with the wall panel.
 4. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 3, wherein the outer face of said wooden strut is spaced from the plastics covering and carries a metal strip.
 5. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 4, wherein said filling means, said wooden strut and said strip have corresponding holes to receive assembly screws, said metal strip being threaded to be engaged by said screws.
 6. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 1, wherein each panel comprises horizontal flanges at the top and bottom edges thereof for reinforcement thereof.
 7. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 6, wherein channel-shaped members are secured over the top edge flanges of the wall panels with the margin of said liner clamped therebetween.
 8. Collapsible swimming pool according to claim 7, wherein each channel-shaped member has an inner flange at an acute angle to the channel body and an outer flange at a right angle to the channel body, said member being dimensioned to spring said inner flange aGainst the wall panel when said channel body lies against said top edge flange. 